Methods and Devices for Articulating Laparoscopic Energy Device

摘要

Electrosurgical instruments and associated methods are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the electrosurgical instruments can include an elongate shaft that can articulate an end effector relative to the elongate shaft, with the end effector including opposed jaws and positioned at a distal end of the elongate shaft. In addition, electrosurgical instruments are provided that include a cutting feature or knife that is coupled to the end effector and can axially translate relative to the elongate shaft. Furthermore, the knife can be rotated relative to the elongate shaft, which can cause simultaneous rotation of the end effector. Electrosurgical instruments are also provided that include an end effector including opposed jaws that are configured to rotate relative to the elongate shaft and grasp objects (i.e., via opening and closing the opposed jaws). Electrical energy can also be passed through the electrosurgical instrument for performing electrosurgical procedures.

主权项

1. An electrosurgical device, comprising:
a handle assembly; an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly and having an end effector with opposed jaws rotatably coupled to a distal end thereof at a rotational joint, the elongate shaft including an articulation joint proximal of the rotational joint for allowing articulation of the end effector relative to the elongate shaft; and a closure assembly having a support housing with first and second closure bands extending therethrough, the first and second closure bands extending through the elongate shaft and being operatively coupled to the end effector for moving the opposed jaws between open and closed positions, the support housing being configured to allow the first and second closure bands to shift axially relative to one another within the support housing in response to articulation of the end effector about the articulation joint, and with the first and second closure bands in any shifted position, the support housing being axially movable to simultaneously axially move the first and second closure bands and to cause the opposed jaws to move between the open and closed positions.